STAFF

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

GARY J. SCHOENNAUER, FAICP, Chairman
Principal, The Schoennauer Company
As the Director of Planning, Building and Code Enforcement, Gary Schoennauer was one of the most influential planning officials in the City of San Jose for 25 years. In 1997, Mr. Schoennauer was given the American Planning Association’s highest honor, the National Planning Award for Distinguished Leadership as a Professional Planner. He is currently in private practice as a planning consultant.

RICHARD CONNIFF, Treasurer
President & CEO, Focus Business Bank
As a banking executive in Silicon Valley for nearly thirty years, Dick Conniff's position in the financial services industry provides a broad perspective on housing issues, and he understands that the shortage of suitable living space for working families plays a crucial role in the welfare of Silicon Valley. He has served on the boards of a number of not for profit human services and arts organizations and is currently a director of the Sempervirens Fund and a member of the Rotary Club of San Jose.

SHIRLEY LEWIS, Secretary
Served as a member of the San Jose City Council from 1980 through 1992, including two years as Vice Mayor, and four years as Vice-Chair of the Redevelopment Agency. She now is Assistant Vice President for Old Republic Title Company. Her numerous community involvements include serving as CEO and President of the San Jose Symphony and the Board of the San José Rotary Club.

MARY BOUGHTON
Brings 20 years of executive management and customer relationship management experience to her position as the Executive Director of Peninsula Habitat for Humanity in Redwood City.  She is past Executive Director of Career Closet. Mary is also a board member of the San Mateo County Housing Leadership Council, a member of the Grand Boulevard Task Force: improving the El Camino Real, and is a member of HOPE (House our People Effectively) Initiative Task Force.

GILBERT M. GARCIA, AIA
Garcia Teague Architecture + Interiors
With over 25 years of experience in architecture, Gil Garcia has worked in every setting from housing to high rises, libraries and youth centers. Mr. Garcia was the Executive Architect for San José’s Biblioteca Latinoamericana and the Washington area Youth Center, and has also served as a Planning Commissioner for the City of San José.

TED NAKADA
Senior VP & Manager, California Bank & Trust
Mr. Nakada has over twenty years of experience as a banking executive with California Bank & Trust (formerly Sumitoma Bank) and has been with the San Jose branch for 10 years.  He also serves on the Board of Fuji Towers Senior Housing in San Jose’s Japantown.

NORVAL NELSON
Real Estate Professional, Alain Pinel Realtors
Mr. Nelson brings 25 years of executive management, sales and marketing experience to the FCH Board.  Mr. Nelson is a residential and investment real estate agent with Alain Pinel Realtors.  He is very active in our community and was past President of the San Jose Visitors and Convention Bureau and has served on the Boards of both the Le Petit Trianon and the Steinway Society in the Bay Area.

DUNIA NOEL, AICP
LAFCO Analyst
Ms. Noel has been involved in Santa Clara County planning for more than 10 years. She is currently the Analyst for the Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) of Santa Clara County, which regulates the boundaries of cities and special districts. She brings an extensive knowledge of the area’s housing needs and growth issues to our Board. Encouraging the orderly growth of government agencies, discouraging urban sprawl, and preserving agricultural and open space lands are LAFCO’s key goals. 

FOUNDING MEMBERS

JOHN N. BREZZO
Retired Partner, DKB Homes
Mr. Brezzo is the retired managing member of DKB Homes where, since 1979, he directed the development, construction and sales of over 9,000 housing units, including the rehabilitation of over 700 units. His developments range from multi-family assisted housing and market-rate rental apartments to single-family homes.

DAVID E. NEALE
President, Core Development, Inc.
As president of Core Development Inc. in San Jose, David Neale has developed more than 950 residential apartments and condominiums and is currently working on more than 500 new residential units in Santa Clara County. Mr. Neale has become known as an articulate advocate for quality affordable housing within an urban setting and with it, the rejuvenation of downtown.